LMC Boss, Shehu Dikko rates 2020/2021 NPFL season as best in history

Chairman, League Management Company (LMC), Malam Shehu Dikko has expressed satisfaction with the just concluded 2020/2021 NPFL season even as he picked it as the best ever  league in history statistically.

Dikko divulged this while speaking at Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), FCT Chapter Guest Forum  in Abuja, highlighted  the positives from the just concluded season, asserted  that the positives far outweighed the negatives people may not have noticed.

He emphasized that Nigeria league owner did so well during the pandemic saying that unlike other countries where most players took pay cut, NPFL players received their full salaries.

"The last League season recorded impressive statistic better than the previous seasons. The number of away wins recorded (36) was the highest since the NPFL took charge as owners and organisers of the Nigerian elite league.

"Technically it was the best League, not just in the NPFL history but since the start of professional football league in Nigeria."

"Commercially it was challenging, but it was the most innovative, because we have brought innovations that people thought was impossible to do before. It was challenging because funds did not come the way we thought it will come."

"Organizationally it was very challenging because of the Covid 19 and some other issues. When I say it is the best technically, we start looking at the numbers and numbers don't lie." the astute football administrator stated.

He continued "First and foremost we had 380 matches, 288 matches were won, 92 were drawn. 791 goals were scored, an average of 2.8 goals per match." 

"It is the highest statistics of goals that we have ever had in the league. "

"352 home wins where recorded, 36 away victories, the highest away victories in the history of the league."

"92 matches where drawn, it is also the highest."

"Total numbers of penalties awarded this is 81, compared to other seasons where we have over 100 it shows the referees also did well." 

Speaking earlier, FCT SWAN chairman, Bunmi Haruna emphasised the need for the LMC to involve the media more in it's activities. He also urged the league body to aim for the very best because nothing is impossible.

"We drive football development across the world, so we are partners in progress." 

"It is our desire that our league should be self sustaining, that our clubs win CAF competition glories and have financial breakthrough."

"We want our league to attract he best players cross the world, we want a Cristiano Ronaldo to one day decide he has to play in the NPFL."

"These things might look impossible right now, but if we put in efforts, impossible is nothing." Bunmi enthused.

Dikko promised to have  quarterly Interactive session with the media henceforth.

Najeem Celebrates MFM Player Of The Season Award With Teammates

MFM Football Club of Lagos rock solid defender, Adeyinka Najeem received the Sportflames Player of the Season Award in a mini celebration with his teammates, he also revealed, his new challenge is to boost his career and play in a better league next season.

Najeem who emerged winner of Sportsflames/MFM Player Of The Season Award after he beat three other nominees, the club's Vice-Captain Akanni Elijah (Attacking Midfielder), Adeniyi Bamidele (Goalkeeper)  and Adikwu Moses (Defender).

A delighted Najeem who took home a trophy and a cash sum of 25, 000, told the media: "I'm delighted with this award as it's the right tonic for me and reward for my hard work for the team during the season.

"It's not just an award but one that will boost my career. It was not easy winning this award as MFM FC had players that were outstanding this season.

" I really appreciate my teammates for their support and love shown throughout the season, now that the season is over, the new focus for me is to move to another league to further my career. I hope the right offers comes too as I know with God all things are possible."

According to Olatoye Olawale, Managing Partner Sportflames Communications  organizer's of the Award, says the reason for this award is to encourage players that has distinguished themselves with their performance and also our own Corporate Social Responsibilities;

In his words," We are very glad to have achieved this again, after three seasons, we had the Maiden edition in 2017, but due to situations we could not do it again, but we are back and better now, the winner is excited, we are excited and everyone present at the Stadium are all excited, which means we have achieved our aims and purpose, putting smiles on faces and encouraging talented players"

" Najeem, is a player we have watched and monitored for a long time, his style of play is different, he always listens to correction and ready to learn, his ability going forward supporting attacks is always very beautiful, everyone loves him and you could see that today, he has proved to everyone that he is a worthy winner. 

Finally," we are not stopping here, we would keep improving every season, our desire is to expand this Award Presentation, hopefully we can do other teams aside MFM, then maybe we can make it a National Award Ceremony. 

At the end, Najeem pulled 40.8% of votes while his closest rival, Elijah got 28.5% votes. Goalkeeper Adeniyi Bamidele came third in the poll with 17.4% votes while Moses got 13.3% votes.

Onuwa Chukwuka (now with Lobi Stars) win the inaugural edition in 2017 owing to his brilliant form for the Olukoya Boys as they qualified for the CAF Champions League and was also instrumental in the famous CNN Goal Of The Week scored by Sikiru Olatunbosun against Rangers at the Agege Stadium.

NPFL: We Are In Rivers For A Mission - Ozor

 

Former Success Academy, Benue state graduate, Ozor Benjamin, has restated his team's aim to upset their host (Rivers United) as Lobi Stars trade tackles with the Pride of Rivers in one of the Matchday 37 fixtures of the current Nigeria professional football league, NPFL season.

The Utility player (Ozor Benjamin) who can effectively function from the right full back position as well as a rugged and calculative center back divulged their mission to the oil rich Rivers State as they wish to achieve a double over the Rivers State owned team.

Haven dismantled the Coach Stanley Eguma tutored side at the Aper Aku stadium in the first round Fixture in Markurdi, Ozor express a high confidence of running away from Rivers State with a point(s) in the bag as they go toe to toe with the Rivers State based outfit on Monday.

"We are hopeful to get a positive and favourable result on Monday, is not going to be a 'Tea Party, but we believe in our ability and have resolved to give our opponents a run for their money"

'We came with the aim to put up a damage control to our disappointing last home fixture against Enyimba on Matchday 30, I foresee a good result come Monday"

Rivers United fixture against Lobi Stars has was been postpone to Monday following Rivers United involvement in the Semi-Finals of the Aiteo Cup.

Born on 1st May,1999, the 22years defender since teaming up with Lobi Stars in the current Nigeria professional football league campaign has established himself as an integral squad member of the Coach Kabiru Dog tutored side.

Adeyinka Najeem claims Sportsflames/MFM Player Of The Season Award

Najeem was named winner of award at the end of MFM FC game against Rivers United which ended in a 2-2 draw at the Agege Stadium. 

It was a healthy contest but at the end, the energetic defender beat the trio of  Vice-Captain Akanni Elijah (Attacking Midfielder), Adeniyi Bamidele (Goalkeeper)  and Adikwu Moses (Defender) to the award.

The poll on www.sportflames.com website (bit.ly/sportflamesmfmpoty) vote portal which lasted for more than two weeks, saw a total of 3,000 votes from fans and Sports Journalists. 

At the end, Najeem pulled 40.8% of votes while his closest rival, Elijah got 28.5% votes. 

Goalkeeper Adeniyi Bamidele came third in the poll with 17.4% votes while Moses got 13.3% votes.

Barrister Seyi Akinwummi, 1st Vice President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), MFM FC Director of Football alongside Barrister Davidson Adejuwon, will present Najeem his award plus cash after the Olukoya Boys last home game of the season against Jigawa Golden Stars at the Agege Stadium (Soccer Temple).

Petit midfielder Onuwa Chukwuka (now with Lobi Stars) win the inaugural edition in 2017 owing to his brilliant form for the Olukoya Boys as they qualified for the CAF Champions League and was also instrumental in the famous CNN Goal Of The Week scored by Sikiru Olatunbosun against Rangers at the Agege Stadium.